Capacitor Testers - HVAC Site

DuMass · 11-04-2009, 11:51 AM

What do you use for testing caps?
Do you prefer a stand-alone cap tester or an all-in-one multimeter with cap test function?

I have an Amrad digital dual-cap tester, which I think is pretty neat, since it's the only dual-cap tester I've ever seen, as well as an older Supco model and a Fluke multimeter with cap test function.

beenthere · 11-25-2009, 10:32 AM

I use my Fieldpiece multimeter.

MorePower7701 · 12-29-2009, 09:16 PM

I use a Fluke 116 multimeter

hvaclover · 12-31-2009, 10:33 PM

Ya' know I surf the net looking for different brands of meters that have all the HVAC functions of a Fluke 116. I have found that all the brands I have come across vary in price but all have a cap tester function.

I have two Ideal meters, one a class II that is compact and cost $30 and a classIII that cost $50. The cap testers on all of them are all accurate as the hundred dollar meters.

I don't see any need for a dedicated cap tester cause all the multi meters come with them these days and there is no deficiency in accuracy from one to the next.

aintitfun · 01-06-2010, 09:00 PM

Agreed. I do have a dedicated cap tester that I bought a long time ago, it still rides around on the truck just in case.

hvaclover · 01-07-2010, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aintitfun

Agreed. I do have a dedicated cap tester that I bought a long time ago, it still rides around on the truck just in case.

Welcome Aintitfun.

JohnH1 · 01-09-2010, 01:25 PM

You guys and you new fangled tools.

Not sure if the picture is showing up. I could not see it untill I logged in again. Anyone see it? Maybe I need to resize it.

hvaclover · 01-10-2010, 05:20 AM

Can't read the scale.

JohnH1 · 01-10-2010, 12:25 PM

I will have to take a clear pic when I get back to the shop.

hvaclover · 01-10-2010, 12:53 PM

Nice piece. i am a sucker for test equipment over 30 years old.
Hell, the wood box it comes in is a work of art and craftsmanship.

Old timers will remember the the day we first started out if you had an instrument like that you were branded a nerd. That was because we could not afford them back then. lol.

JohnH1 · 01-10-2010, 02:17 PM

Box closed with a old Baso T-couple tester.

JohnH1 · 01-30-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvaclover

Can't read the scale.

Maybe the scale can be seen in this pic

hvaclover · 01-30-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnH1

Maybe the scale can be seen in this pic

Cool. But it would never survive in the truck!!!

I dig old tools to the max.

Thanks for posting that.

JackClay · 08-25-2010, 08:27 AM

Hello,

I am using ESR meter for checking capacitor. Vincin's method will work with sufficiently large capacitor values. (Especially if one uses an analog meter.)